Little League CEO and President Stephen D Keener announced yesterday that Little League International has made the difficult and disappointing decision to cancel the 2020 Little League World Series.  He also said that the expected travel restrictions for international players and families will be complicated to manage and restricts many from coming to the U.S. to play .  This year was to be the 75^th Little League Baseball World Series, that celebration will now take place in 2022. The 2020 MLB Little League Classic originally scheduled for August 23 has also been canceled, but the Major League Baseball Players Association have committed to playing in 2021. Get details at LittleLeague.org.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health there are 1, 397 new cases of COVID-19 in the commonwealth as of yesterday at midnight, bringing to the statewide total to 45,763 in all 67 counties.  98 new deaths were reported as well totalling 2,292 fatalities in Pennsylvania.  Lycoming County has 7 more positive cases reported getting up to 68 cases and no deaths.  Northumberland adds one case getting to 93, Union has 33,  Montour 47.  Columbia County checks in with 283 postive cases and 13 deaths.  Tioga County has 16 cases today with 1 death reported.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a flood watch in effect until 2pm today after up to 3 inches of rain fell yesterday through the Williamsport area According to the Sun Gazette, meteorologists say the West Branch Susquehanna River was at 7.73 feet at 7pm last night and that below 10 feet is normal with flooding at 20 feet.  14.9 feet is forecasted today.  The rainfall total for April was 5.7 inches 2.33 inches more than average.

The public is invited to get up to 2 gallons of free milk – drive thru style – in Shamokin dam next Monday from 2-4pm.  According to the Sun Gazette, Dairy Farmers of America and the Greater Susquehanna United Way will provide over 4,000 gallons of free milk at the “Pop Your Trunk” event at the former K-mart Parking lot in Shamokin Dam.  The United Way will also be handing out fabric masks, anyone arriving before 1:45 will be asked to leave and return.

An audit into how Governor Tom Wolf and the state Department of Community and Economic Development managed the waiver process for businesses that appealed to the recent COVID-19 shutdown order was announced by Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale Thursday.   He will launch an audit into how the state Department of Community and Economic Development has managed the waiver process for businesses that appealed Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 shutdown order.  According to Penn Live, DePasquale said some business owners thought the waiver process was too slow and not transparent enough.  Businesses that were not life sustaining were closed March 19^th and more than 40,000 businesses sought a waiver during the application period that ended April 3.

Traffic was detoured for more than 7 hours along Route 45 in Union County yesterday around 11am  according to Penn Dot after wires and a utility pole came down on the roadway.  The lane closures of Route 45 in Hartley Township was west of Bear Run Road.  Penn Dot announced the road reopened around 6:45pm.

The 2020 Laurel Festival in Wellsboro, PA has been cancelled.  All Laurel Festival activities scheduled for the Tioga County tradition, including the 2020 Family Day and Children’s Health Fair scheduled for June 13th on the Green in Wellsboro has been cancelled due to concerns over the coronavirus.  According to Julie VanNess of the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce all Laurel Queen candidates and their schools have been notified of the decision to cancel all the Laurel Festival activities in 2020.

Sports
NFL

The NFL is looking into playing games on Saturday if college football season is delayed this year. According to NFL officials and their broadcast partners, most games would be played Sunday, but if there was no college football at all on a Saturday, it could be an option.

Wil Ferrell crashed the Seattle Seahawks virtual meeting held by head coach Pete Carroll Thursday pretending to be new teammate Greg Olsen the foremer Carolina Panther who signed a 1-year deal with the team February 18th.  Will Ferrell Attended USC and is an acquaintance of the coach

MLB
The Tampa Bay Rays are the first MLB team to furlough employees.  A number of full timers will be furloughed starting tomorrow – reported to be only half of the up to 500 employees on the payroll.

NBA
The NBA is in talks with Disney World about resuming play there – since they have enough room to house quarantined players there – Las Vegas is also a location option

LYCOMING COUNTY REPORTS ONE MORE COVID-19 CASE
There is one more positive case of COVID-19 reported in Lycoming County as of Tuesday 58 cases and no deaths, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.  Statewide, there are 1,214 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing that total to 43,264.  119 new deaths in the commonwealth makes 1, 716 confirmed fatalities due to the coronavirus.  Local case counts include Northumberland with 92, Union has 33 Montour has 47 – with no deaths in those counties, Columbia has 279 cases and reports 8 deaths.

GOVERNOR TO REVEAL FRIDAY THE COUNTIES CHANGING DESIGNATION
Gov. Tom Wolf will announce this Friday who will officially feel the relaxing of the coronavirus-related shutdown directives first.  Some regions or counties may move from a “red” designation to a “yellow” designation, taking effect the following Friday, May 8. Under yellow, a ban on gatherings of over 25 people will remain, and gyms, casinos, theaters and other indoor recreational, wellness and entertainment venues will stay closed. Restaurants and bars will still be limited to carry-out or delivery, and businesses must follow federal and state guidance for social distancing and cleaning.

WEST FOURTH STREET CONSTRUCTION TO START FRIDAY
Construction work is set to begin on West Fourth Street in the Newberry section of the City of Williamsport,  On Friday, May 1, the contractor, will begin installing base repairs in preparation for milling and paving of a fiber reinforcement layer as well as a new wearing course on West Fourth Street between Arch Street and Oliver Avenue.  Motorist should expect single lane closures using daylight flagging.

COURTS WILL REMAIN CLOSED INTO MAY
The Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas and all Magisterial District Courts of the 29^th Judicial District have announced that they will remain closed to the public through May 15, 2020, except for essential functions. The latest Lycoming County Administrative Order Monday, extends the court closure until May 15^th.    This also confirms that jury selection in Lycoming County scheduled for June 1^st -5^th is cancelled with all jury trials scheduled for June through July being continued. The Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas will continue to perform the following essential functions during the court closure.  A link to the copy of the Judicial Order is here.

CROSSCUTTERS TO HELP CENTRAL PA FOOD BANK
The Williamsport Crosscutters have joined a new initiative with “MiLB CommUNITY First” in conjunction with Feeding America to raise funds in response to  COVID-19 and honor those working on the front line of the pandemic.  According to the Sun Gazette, if fans visit the online site, www.milb.com/communityfirst they can choose a donation amount and designate it for the Crosscutters.  Those direct funds will benefit the Central PA Food Bank and for every $10 donated, the Cutters will donate a ticket for a future home game in this season or 2021 to a local hearo during the pandemic.

MAYOR SLAUGHTER ANTICIPATES WILLIAMSPORT BE AMONG THE FIRST TO REOPEN
Williamsport may be in the first of the locations the state Health Department classifies to reopen since shelter in place orders went into effect March 15^th.  According to the Sun Gazette, Mayor Derek Slaughter said to the City’s finance committee that as he monitors the health information from the state and works with local and state health officials, if the city is authorized to move forward, we will hopefully become a model for other cities in the commonwealth who open back up in a measured way.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONCERNED ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine addressed Pennsylvanians yesterday during the daily press briefing to be aware if neighbors or friends may be experiencing problems with domestic or child abuse and that if you think something is wrong,  you can say something <<<< LEVINE 2 by calling Childline at 1-800-932-0313 and online at keepkidssafe.pa.gov >>>>or a domestic violence hotline 1-800-799-7233 and online at https://www.pcadv.org/.  >>>> If you witness or hear a violent incident, don’t intervene. Call 911 immediately.

PENN STATE WILL DECIDE ABOUT FALL SEMESTER IN JUNE
Penn State University is giving themselves until June 15^th to decide on their plans for the fall semester, trying to determine whether students will be returning to campus or continue remote learning, like the summer class schedule is at this time.  According to WPSU, Provost Nick Jones said in  Tuesday’s remote Faculty Senate meeting they are trying to juggle the need to inform their students of future plans, making sure to use the most up-to-date information about COVID-19.  All outcomes and decisions are based on student enrollment and some out of state and international students may take other options if students cannot return to the Centre County campus in the fall.

MLB
Major league baseball is planning to start the season in late June. Sources at MLB say they’ll start no later than July 2, playing at least 100 regular season games.  They are also considering a three division 10-team plan in which teams play only within their division based on geography.

Major league baseball is now allowing teams to offer refunds to fans for games currently not being played because of the coronavirus.  Each team sets its own policy with many likely offering credit for 2021 as an option.

In NASCAR the Governor of North Carolina says the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will likely go on a scheduled May 24.  Gov. Roy Cooper says NASCAR and the officials at the speedway submitted a plan to implement social distancing and have no fans in the speedway for the race.

HS Wrestling
Some minor rule changes in high school wrestling were handed down by the National Federation of High Schools yesterday which addressed hair length, weigh-in procedures and scoring, but not the pilot program announced last year by the PIAA reducing the number of weight classes from 14 to 12.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Sunday at noon that 1,116 additional cases of COVID-19 were reported in the Commonwealth bringing the statewide total to 41, 165.  There have been 1, 550 deaths due to the coronavirus. The department continues to mandate Pennsylvania residents to wear cloth masks and most stores will require the use of a mask to enter .  Governor Wolf said that construction that was previously deemed non-essential can begin on May 1, even though the phased plan to start lifting the statewide stay at home order on a county-by-county basis won’t begin until at least May 8.

Police are investigating a drive-by shooting that occurred Saturday night in the area of Pine Street at 7^th Street in Williamsport  around 5pm which sent one male victim to the hospital.  According to the Williamsport Bureau of Police, the Criminal investigation unit is following various leads and the name of the 21 year old victim has not been released.  According to the Sun Gazette, witnesses said shots were fired over the heads of kids waiting to cross the street and that the suspect allegedly fled along Louisa Street in a jeep.  If you have information about the shooting please call Agent Brittany Alexander at 570-327-7586..

The PA Liquor Control Board is planning to expand curbside pickup at liquor stores to 389 more Fine Wine & Good Spirits locations across the commonwealth today Most stores will support curbside service Monday through Saturday – taking a limited number of orders on a first-call, first-served basis beginning at 9a each day and scheduling pickup appointments between 9a and 6p. At pickup, customers will be required to present identification before the order is delivered with a limit of up to six bottles per order, and credit cards are the only accepted form of payment. Orders will also be limited to one order per caller, per store, per day, and all curbside pickup sales are final. No orders will be accepted by email or voicemail.  A list of all open stores in PA is listed here.

The Williamsport Soap Box Derby the Steering Committee is didappointed to announced that they have canceled  the 2020 local race scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2020.  According to their social media pages,  , the timing of the race falls within the guidelines limiting the size and number of people to attend any event in our area due to COVID 19. These guidelines will be changing at some point, but more than likely not soon enough to allow the soap box derby to take place.  If you have a child registered for this year’s race, you are automatically guaranteed a place in the 2021 event. And officials will be in touch with you to confirm.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health,  Lycoming County now reports 55 cases of COVID-19, but no deaths have remained official after clarification last week of two people who died from the virus did not live in the county.  According to the CDC, records they receive of people who die from the coronavirus count in the county where they lived, not where they passed away.  Sunday the state reported 1,550 deaths across Pennsylvania.  Out of our total deaths, 952 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.

A young woman from Oakmont, Pennsylvania  near Pittsburgh , died Sunday after a crash along i-80 East involving her 2010 Kia Rio and a 2018 Freightliner Truck.  Pennsylvania State police at Milton report that around 2pm yesterday the vehicle 28 year old Brianna M Kimmel was driving began to spin out of control for an unknown reason near mile marker 200 and left the roadway striking the berm –she re-entered the interstate, making contact with 36 year old Adam Brown’s truck.  Both vehicles went off the roadway and the accident closed I-80 east until after 7pm.  Kimmel was pronounced dead at the scene.  Brown was not injured.

A 29 year old suspect has been arrested following a  hit and run accident that occurred in Union County last Tuesday.  Police were seeking the driver of a white Ford Explorer with front end damage after they said 23 year old Abigail Martin and an11 month old girl in a carrier were struck while riding a bike along Red Ridge Road in Limestone Township.  State police in Milton say Tyler Bean-Dowell of Mifflinburg, who drives a 2006 Ford Explorer,  was responsible for the crash and arraigned in district court.  Bean-Dowell is in the Union County Jail in lieu of $100,000 straight bail.

The economic development agency SEDA-COG is offering business’ in PA another option for crisis loans. John Brown, the executive director says the agency has secured these funds through the EDA and notes that supplies are limited.  For more information you can go to their website seda-cog.org

Out of an abundance of caution and to keep in line with COVID-19 social distancing guidance, the Lycoming County Veterans Council and the Lycoming County Veterans Memorial Park Commission have decided to cancel the annual Memorial Day ceremony originally scheduled for May 23 at Lycoming County Veterans Memorial Park.

The Williamsport Soap Box Derby the Steering Committee is didappointed to announced that they have canceled  the 2020 local race scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2020.  According to their social media pages,  , the timing of the race falls within the guidelines limiting the size and number of people to attend any event in our area due to COVID 19. These guidelines will be changing at some point, but more than likely not soon enough to allow the soap box derby to take place.  If you have a child registered for this year’s race, you are automatically guaranteed a place in the 2021 event. And officials will be in touch with you to confirm.

Sports
NFL

Yetur Gross-Matos who played three seasons at Penn State, where he totaled 111 tackles and 19 sacks –  ranking him 10th in school history – was chosen by the Carolina Panthers  in the  second NFL Draft round Friday night by continuing to fill out the defense

The Philadelphia Eagles surprised everyone by doubling down on expensive picks for the quarterback position.  Jalen hurts, 53rd pick overall, was added to their roster in addition to giving Carson Wentz, their current quarter back, 128 million dollar extension.

NBA
The NBA is allowing some team practice facilities to reopen Friday as some states relax stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus outbreak.  No group workouts or team activities can occur.  Players can practice this week in Georgia, but where states still have stay-at-home orders, alternative arrangements are being made.

After 3 months since the death of Kobe Bryant, the largest collection of Kobe Bryant memorabilia is to be auctioned off soon . On the block are his game worn sneakers and his championship ring originally belonging to his mother, Pam Bryant, with nearly 100 more items included.  Bidding will be hosted online and ends May 16th.

DEATH COUNT IN LYCOMING COUNTY CHANGES
Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine explained why the death count in Pennsylvania decreased yesterday and also how collecting data on probable and confirmed cases can change the COVID-19 numbers, like it did yesterday in Lycoming County, from two to zero deaths. According to Dr Levine, out of the 37, 053 total cases of COVID-19 in the state 388 are now considered probable. According to the Sun Gazette, Lycoming County Coroner, Charles E Kiessling Jr. remains concerned about how the numbers are being recorded in such unprecedented times.  The total number of deaths decreased to 1,421 from 1,622 due to the change in the count of probable cases, but there were still 69 death cases reported confirmed by positive tests for COVID-19.

A THIRD BUSINESS PORTAL CREATED TO CONNECT BUSINESSES TO COVID-19 SUPPLIES
A business to business interchange directory has been created by the State Department of Community and Economic Development to provide Pennsylvanians access to critical supplies quickly without a middleman.  There are two other web applications available thru the state as well a Critical Medical Supplies Portal and the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal.  The information made available from this new application is from those entities who voluntarily gave information to the previous websites all to connect organizations and businesses directly to manufacturers producing COVID-19-related products and supplies.  TO be included in these protals contact the DCED – (info on our websites.)  [email protected].  For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, Pennsylvanians should visit: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/.

URGENT CARE FACILITY TO OFFER COVID-19 TESTING
If residents meet CDC-based COVID-19 screening criteria, a local urgent care will provide testing in Lycoming County.  According to a press release, Med Express Urgent Care will screen patients at designated locations – from their cars if necessary. MedExpress centers are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Officials ask that you call a local center to determine next steps if the CDC criteria applied to you, you can review those details online at medexpress.com/covid19tests

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN FOR THE HELPERS IN WILLIAMSPORT
“Help the Helpers,” a joint initiative of UPMC, City of Williamsport, Lycoming County United Way, and Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce encourages the community to recognize and look for ways to support “the helpers” and each other, such as running simples errands or providing helpful supplies to our neighbors, health care workers,  first responders grocery clerks, custodians and other essential workers you know.  Community members are asked to show their signs of support with window signs, social media frames, or share their “help the helpers” stories with the hashtag #HELPTHEHELPERS. Window signs and social frames can be downloaded at UPMCSusquehanna.org/HelptheHelpers.

GIRL FLEES ABDUCTION ATTEMPT
State police in Montoursville say a juvenile girl was approached earlier this month in an abduction attempt in Woodward Township.  According to the Sun Gazette, a suspect in a red Subaru sedan came to the Harvest Moon Park trailer court on April 10thj around 7pm and offered a young girl candy to come with them.  Police say the girl did not get in the vehicle and instead fled the sceen and called police.  If you have any information about this incident, please call Pennsylvania State police  at 570-368-5700.

PENN STATE TO FREEZE TUITION
Due to the economic challenges facing Pennsylvania and the nation, Penn State administrators said yesterday they will freeze tuition rates for all students University-wide for the 2020-21 academic year. The plan will need the University’s Board of Trustees final approval in July.  This is the third consecutive year that Penn State has held tuition rates flat for Pennsylvania resident students. The school will also adjust tuition rates for the upcoming summer 2020 semester, using a pre-existing tuition structure and also subject to Board of Trustees approval at is regularly scheduled May meeting.

LOCAL GROCERY TO START FOOD DRIVE CAMPAIGN
Weis Markets is working with their local communities starting next week and will launch their Fight Hunger campaign on April 30^th.  Each Weis store will partner with a local food pantry, and when customers generously donate or round up their grocery order, the proceeds will go to those local recipients.  Weis customers can also place a anon-perishable food donation in barrels provided by the stores starting next Thursday.

COVID-19 COUNT NOW DETERMINED BY CONFIRMED AND PROBABLE CASES
The Pa Department of Health has reported a total of 34, 528 total coronavirus cases in the state with 1,296 new positive cases.  Health Department Secretary Dr Rachel Levine has reported in recent days they are reconciling data from various sources to get accurate numbers, and announced yesterday how they define cases of the virus; as confirmed or probable.  “Confirmed”, being those who have had a positive test result and “probable” being those who have been in contact with those infected and who have symptoms.  There are 360 new deaths reported bringing that total to 1,564.  Deaths are also being counted as confirmed and probable. Statewide there are now 1,264 confirmed covid-19 deaths and 300 probable, with coronavirus as a secondary cause of death.

LYCOMING COUNTY CORONER UNSATISFIED WITH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REPORTING
As the Pennsylvania Department of Health reconciles data from various state sources and reports deaths of COVID-19, the Lycoming County Coroner told the Sun Gazette that he, along with other coroners in the commonwealth are frustrated with the way the Pennsylvania Health Department has been compiling data and not involving area coroners at all.  County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr., who is head of the state’s PA State Coroners Association, says it’s flawed to classify the death of person on where they lived, not where they died.  According to a coroners law in place since 1933, a county coroner or medical examiner has jurisdiction and must be notified of deaths in their county.  Kiessling said that the health department did not notify him of the two deaths now reported in Lycoming County.

HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT INJURES WOMAN AND CHILD ON A BIKE
A woman riding a bike with an 11 month old child in a carrier on the back was struck in a hit and run Tuesday morning in Mifflinburg.  According to North Central PA dot com, 23 year old Abigail Martin  was operating the bike heading west on the 1100 block of Red Limestone Ridge Road.  Police report a person driving a white sport utility vehicle hit Martin and the baby and fled the scene on Red Ridge Road.  Life Flight responded to the scene.  Police are asking if you have information about the incident or know of a white Ford Explorer model year between 2005 and 2010 with front end damage, call state police at Milton.  Officials at Geisinger said Martin was in fair condition but no word on the condition of the child.

RECYCLING LOCATIONS TO OPEN IN COUNTY
Lycoming County Commissioners said in their meeting yesterday that they are preparing for two recycling locations to open in the county.  According to the Sun Gazette, Lycoming County Resource Management Services will collect recycling from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday until Saturday. At the  Pennsylvania College of Technology parking lot on W. Third St., next to the Transfer Station), and the Kmart parking lot, on E. Third St. in Loyalsock Township. Residents are asked to wear masks while being at these sites.

LOW COVID NUMBERS MAKE ELECTIVE SURGERY POSSIBLE AT UPMC
UPMC announced yesterday they will resume some elective surgeries amid the absence of a predicted surge of COVID-19 patients in Central and Western Pennsylvania. Dr. Donald Yealy, UPMC’s chair of emergency medicine, said during a virtual press conference that coronavirus cases are on the decline in the communities the system serves. And that UPMC, has what they need as far as needed basic supplies. According to the Sun Gazette, the decision goes against the current recommendation of the Department of Health Secretary who said the state has begun talking to hospitals about resuming some surgeries but “we’re not there yet. Dr Yealy said The COVID-19 caseload remains at levels that are low, consistent and manageable at the UPMC  facilities.

LOCYALSOCK SCHOOL BOARD TO MEET VIRTUALLY OVER BUDGET
The Loyalsock Township School board will meet tonight to go over the tentative 2020-21 school year budget.  The district will meet virtually and invite the public to attend.  Details on how to join the meeting on your computer will be posted at the districts website before the meeting at 7pm.  www.ltsd.k12.pa.us

COMMS WANT ALL RESIDENTS TO HAVE FOOD DURING EMERGENCY
At the Lycoming County Commissioners meeting yesterday, they discussed working with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank so that families stay fed as unemployment claims in the state surge.  According to the Sun Gazette, Commissioner Rick Mirabito is seeking to hear from any other agencies or groups who can make sure community members have food.  Anyone who is facing food insecurities at this time is encouraged to call 211 and get help and advice from the Lycoming County United Way.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS CANCELLED FOR 2020
Special Olympics of Pennsylvania and Penn State University have announced that the 2020 Summer Games in State College that was to be in June, has been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.  The “Be a Fan” Torch Run is also cancelled according to the news release, but they say a “Virtual Summer Games” is being planned so that the spirit of the athletes and volunteers can still be felt.  Organizers at Penn State, where they’ve been holding the Special Olympics for 33 years say they are committed to a Summer Games in 2021.

SOIL REMEDIATION TODAY ON ROUTE 15 SOUTH
PennDOT will   be working on Route 15 southbound in Lewis Township, Lycoming County to replace soil and fix the shoulder after a tractor trailer accident from the weekend.  The wreck occurred at around 2am and blocked traffic and causing a detour through steam valley to trout run last Saturday morning.  Crews will be at  mile marker 144, today between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, weather permitting. Motorists should expect the left lane to be closed while the work is being completed.

Sports

NFL
The New England Patriots have agreed to trade Rob Gronkowski to the Buccaneers in a deal that reunites the retired tight end with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Gronkowski’s agent, said yesterday on SportsCenter that the five-time Pro Bowler has been feeling great physically since he retired from football nearly 13 months ago.

The Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday became the latest NFL team to reveal new uniforms this offseason. The look includes a signature powder blue, gold and white color scheme. The design features a simplified bolt on the jersey and pants, and numbers have been added to helmets

NBA
Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill says his wife’s 85-year-old grandmother recently battled the coronavirus and beat it. Hill has been in San Antonio during the NBA’s pandemic-imposed hiatus.

Without any enforceable restrictions against large gatherings in place in the state over the coronavirus pandemic, Park Jefferson International Speedway — a dirt track in North Sioux City, South Dakota — is planning to hold the Open Wheel Nationals on Saturday with ticket sales capped at 700 for a track with a seating capacity of 4,000.